Schedule An Appointment

Symptom Checker

Something Embedded in the Skin

An embedded object is any object that becomes stuck in or beneath the skin. It may be small and superficial or large enough to extend into deeper tissue.

Splinters, glass, metal, hooks, pencils and other sharp or broken objects can become embedded after falls, accidents or penetrating injuries.

Call a nurse All symptoms

AAP Guide to Something Embedded in the Skin

The AAP guide below explains what you can remove, what to leave alone and how to protect the area.

AAP Symptom CheckerSomething in the skin

If the Symptom Checker does not appear here

It is the American Academy of Pediatrics’ own tool and it loads from their site, so a lost connection or a content blocker leaves this space empty. Open it on HealthyChildren.org with the button below, or call your office and a nurse will answer.

Open on HealthyChildren.org

Symptom CheckerSomething in the skin New tab

When to see a doctor

Contact your pediatrician or another healthcare professional if:

  • The object is deep, large, barbed or heavily contaminated.
  • The object is near the eye, neck, chest, abdomen or another sensitive structure.
  • Your child has numbness, weakness or loss of movement.
  • Part of the object may remain after attempted removal.

Call 911 or get emergency care if:

  • A large object caused a major penetrating injury.
  • Bleeding is severe or the object may be protecting a major blood vessel from bleeding.
  • You think your child has a life-threatening emergency.

Talk to a nurse now, at any hour

When can my child be seen

Be seen today.

Every office keeps same-day appointments for illness and injury.

This evening or at the weekend.

Most offices run After Hours Care, by appointment rather than walk-in.

If you are worried, call. We would rather answer a question that turns out to be nothing.

More on knocks, pain and injuries

See the rest of this group and all 164 symptoms